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Founder Michael Ford has been heavily involved in the AgTech sector, in the last two years setting out to create a precision agricultural tool that would help farmers with yield modelling and monitoring the weather using digital maps after realising that visualisation was key to portioning out the large volumes of data that businesses collect.

This understanding was integral to the development of Hectare which works to build simple to use tools for precision agriculture, visualising data on maps and satellite imagery, as well as real-time weather information and rain radar data from nearby DPIRD stations. Hectare also offers access to current and historical 10m Sentinel imagery, colour, NDVI and moisture Australia-wide.

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Smart sensors have become cheaper and more adaptive than ever before. Perth-based startup iGrower aims to bring various data points to the farm in an easy-to-use format. The company’s devices can view data and control pumps and valves using a smartphone or computer which is specially calibrated to account for farming conditions.

Communicating with each other via long-range wireless communication, the devices can share data, and with the app growers can check the status of each pump, as well as the temperature and humidity sensors.

Founded by Darren Hughes, ex-GM (and current board member) of GRDC, iGrower is well-positioned to take advantage of the huge push this industry is experiencing.

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Vertically integrated food and agriculture company Wide Open Agriculture aims to regenerate ecosystems and revitalise communities in Western Australia’s Wheatbelt – producing premium vegetables with climate-smart, shade house technology. With its ‘Food for Reasons’ food brand, the business can market fresh and processed healthy food products. The team also purchases land and partners with regenerative farmers to help restore the ecosystem and ensure long-term productivity.

Wide Open Agriculture went public in July 2018, raising its $5 million initial public offering. ‍Chairman Anthony Maslin’s reason behind creating the startup was to revitalise WA’s wheat belt. Alongside WOA Managing Director Ben Cole, and non-executive Director Stuart McAlpine, the team aims to bring opportunities for regenerative farming to the community.

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Providing organic and botanical products to improve the fertility of soil, WA-based Go4Organics aims to provide balanced nutrition to plants. The company’s aim is to support the local community and farmers with products which are toxic-free and are a natural pest and disease control.

The fertilisers on offer contain nutrients from non-edible oilseeds, aquatic weeds and peat soils, and when used in the right phase of growth, will result in residue-free yield – as well as having a clean, chemical-free environment.